November Member Of The Month: Dave Flores
November Member Of The Month: Dave Flores
When Dave started his fitness adventure a year ago he weighed 290 pounds. He is now down to 226. He was a size 44 and now he is comfortably in a size 38. As a college and semi-pro football player he knows it’s about more than the numbers. But just how did a kid who moved his entire life end up in a size 44 in the first place?!? His story is inspiring so read on:
- When did you start CrossFit and why?
I started Crossfit in May of this year. I was an athlete since I was 9 years old was always in good shape. In 2008 I hung up my cleats from playing semi-pro and arena football and life came to a physical stand still. My eating habits, however, stayed the same and I started gaining weight. A few years later I required knee surgery from an injury I sustained in college football. During rehab I was given pain pills that I needed just to get through everyday activities. The pills took over my life. I was tired all the time, lazy and distant. They drowned out the pain of whatever was going on in my life. There finally came a point in where I had to choose; my family or pills. With the help of my family I was able to quit cold turkey! It wasn’t easy or fast. It took learning how to do everything over again without the pills. As my son and daughter got older and into sports I was determined not to be the “fat dad” on the sidelines while someone else coached the kids. I wanted to be out there and active with them instead of out of breathe trying to tie my shoes. So I made a huge life change, from how I eat to how I sleep, and I am very fortunate to have a wife that is supportive and helped me everyday with lunches and dinners and motivation to get up and go to the gym. This put a big strain on my mobility and I went into a depression. I went from competing at a high level to nothing
- What time of day do you come in?
I am a 6 AMer!! But it’s not unusual to see me at a night class a couple times a month.
- What is one type of movement you hate and one you love?
I love them all, but if I had to choose I would say pistols, my knees are still not ready for those.
- Any big goals set for the next year?
Performance goals? I want to do better every time I’m in the gym. I don’t have any goals in particular but I figure if I’m there everyday and work my hardest the performance and PRs will come.
- Name an athlete that inspires you and why.
Tim Tebow’s motivation and will to be the best at what he does inspires me. He doesn’t listen to the limitations others put on him. They said he wouldn’t be good a QB and he showed them otherwise. When that ended he said “fine I’ll go be the best in baseball.” He might not be the best but he isn’t going to let anyone tell him he isn’t!6. Tell us one fun fact about you.
Even though I excelled in football I hold my college record for the javelin and am in my junior college’s Hall Of Fame for the javelin.
- You were left on a deserted island. What one food and thing (i.e. book, music player, etc…) would you want to be left with you?Chicken and my block rocker! I eat chicken everyday and I think music makes everything better!
- How has CrossFit helped you in sports and life?
CrossFit has brought me closer to my kids, because I have the energy to play with them and get up every morning without pain. (Except soreness, in CrossFit we are always sore from something)
- How have workouts changed for you over the time you have been with us?
The workouts here are exactly what I was looking for in a box! They’re fun, challenging and everyone is so supportive! I’m in a great groove here, and I’m so stoked with my new lease on life. I love competing with myself, trying to beat what I did last time in a lift or for time!
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